Foldable cot

ABSTRACT

A foldable stretcher includes a pair of U-shaped frame members hingedly connected together to permit folding of the stretcher between a normal extended position and a folded position. A flexible support panel is secured to the U-shaped frame sections and is provided with recesses or cutouts adjacent the corners and hinge connections of the stretcher to facilitate carrying thereof. A pair of lock bolts are provided, each being positioned within the leg of one U-shaped frame section and being urged by a coil spring into the leg of the other U-shaped frame section when the stretcher is in the extended position. A pair of retaining cam elements are provided for retaining the lock bolts in a retracted position when the stretcher is in the folded position.

United States Patent [191 Evans [4 1 Mar. 19, 1974 FOLDABLE COT PrimaryExaminer-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney. Agent, or FirmWilliamson. Bains &Moore 5 7 ABSTRACT A foldable stretcher includes a pair of U-shapedframe members hingedly connected together to permit folding of thestretcher between a normal extended position and a folded position Aflexible support panel is secured to the U-shaped frame sections and isprovided with recesses or cutouts adjacent the corners and hingeconnections of the stretcher to facilitate carrying thereof. A pair oflock bolts are provided, each being positioned within the leg of oneU-shaped frame section and being urged by a coil spring into the leg ofthe other 'U-shaped frame section when the stretcher is in the extendedposition. A pair of retaining cam elements are provided for retainingthe lock bolts in a retracted position when the stretcher is in thefolded position.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEB AR 1 9 B974 l ff .Z

""W Hum;

IL/ I FOLDABLE COT BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Many hospitals andother institutions retain a supply of stretchers, and the lengthdimension of these stretchers presents a space or storage problem whenthe stretchers are not being used. Although there are some foldable typestretchers now available, many of these foldable types are laterallyfoldable and the length dimension is therefore not reduced when thesestretchers are in the folded condition.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel foldablestretcher which is foldable along its transverse center line between afolded position and an extended position.

The foldable stretcher is provided with unique lock bolts which arenormally urged into a locking condition when the stretcher is in theextended position whereby the stretcher is automatically locked whenunfolded into the extended position. The lock means comprise springurged lock bolts which are retained by cam elements in a retractedrelease position within the respective legs of the U-shaped sectionswhen the stretcher is folded. With this arrangement, the stretcher maybe readily folded into a relatively compact condition but isautomatically locked when unfolded into the extended position.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to thesame or similar parts throughout the several views.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thenovel stretcher in the extended position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the novel stretcher in the foldedcondition;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating theinterrelationship of the various components of the hinge and lockingmeanswhen the stretcher is in the extended position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to FIG. 3 illustratingthe interrelationship of the various components of the hinge and lockingmeans when the stretcher is in a folded condition; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along lines 5-5 ofFIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings and morespecifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one embodiment of the novelfoldable stretcher or 10 is there shown. The foldable stretcher 10includes a foldable frame 11 which is comprised of a pair of similarU-shaped frame sections 12. These frame sections 12 are formed ofsuitable tubular stock, preferably aluminum, each including a pair ofsubstantially parallel legs 13 which are rigidly interconnected by atransverse portion 14.

These U-shaped frame sections 12 are hingedly connected together by apair of hinges 15 each including a pair of hinge sleeves 16 which arepositioned around and affixed to the free ends of the legs one U-shapedframe section. The hinges 15 also include a pair of hinge sleeves 17which are positioned around and fixedly connected to the outer or freeends of the legs 13 of the other U-shaped frame section 12. It ispointed out that each hinge sleeve 16 has a substantially flat uppersurface 16a while each hinge sleeve 17 has a substantially flat uppersurface 17a.

Each hinge sleeve 16 has a pair of elongate substantially straightspaced apart hinge elements 18 fixedly secured to the upper flat surfacethereof while each hinge sleeve 17 has a pair of similar elongatesubstantially straight spaced apart hinge elements 19 affixed to theupper flat surface 17 thereof. Referring again to FIG. 5, it will beseen that the hinge elements 19 are positioned interiorly of the hingeelements 18. It will also be seen that the inner end of the hingeelements 18 and the inner end of the hinge elements 19 are bent to forman arcuate portion or eye as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5.

The openings defined by the bent ends of the hinge elements are disposedin registering relation with respect to each other, and elongate hingepin 20 extends therethrough. It is pointed out that the hinge pin 20 ofone hinge element is disposed in substantially axial alignment with theother hinge pin 20 so that the U- shaped frame sections are pivotalabout transver axis which is located at the transverse centerline of theframe. With this arrangement, the frame 11 is foldable between anextended position, as illustrated in FIG. 1, and a folded position, asillustrated in FIG. 2. It will be noted that when the stretcher is inthe extended position, the legs and the hinge sleeves are disposedsubstantially in abutting relation with respect to each other. However,when the stretcher is in the folded position as shown in FIG. 2,U-shaped frame sections lie upon each other in substantially parallelrelation thus reducing the length dimension of the stretcher by onehalf.

Means are also provided for releasably locking the stretcher in theextended position and this means comprises a pair of elongatecylindrical locking bolts 21' which are positioned within the legs ofone of the U- shaped frame sections 12. These elongated locking boltsare longitudinally shiftable within their respective leg and each isengaged at its rear endby helical spring 22 which is positioned againsta stop pin 23 that extends through the associated leg. Thus each lockingbolt is normally urged longitudinally outwardly from a retractedcondition within the associated leg.

In this regard, it will be seen that when the stretcher is in theextended condition, each locking bolt 21 will extend outwardly from theretracted position within its associated leg and into the adjacent legof the other U- shaped frame section. A stop pin 24 extends transverselyof the other leg to limit the movement of each stop bolt in a locking orextended direction.

Means are also provided for retracting each locking bolt from itsextended locking condition to the retracted condition. Each leg of theU-shaped frame section which accommodates the locking bolt therein isprovided with a pair of diametrically opposed elongate slots 27 therein.An actuator collar 25 is positioned around each slotted leg and a pin 26extends through the locking boltand slots 27 therein and is secured tothe actuator collar 25 therein. With this arrangement, each actuatingbolt can be retracted against the bias of a helical spring 22 byretracting the associated actuator collar 25.

Means are also provided for retaining and locking bolts 21 in aretracted release condition, and this means includes a pair of retainingcam elements 28, each being secured to one of the hinge sleeves 16. Itwill be noted that the retaining cam elements 28 are of flatconstruction each having a curved arucate camming surface 29 whoseperiphery extends through an are slightly larger than 180. Each camelement 28 has a lower flat surface secured to the associated hingesleeve 16, as by welding or the like, and projects longitudinallytherefrom. Each cam element 28 also projects through a slot 30 in theadjacent leg of the other frame section and through a slot 31 in thesleeve of the last mentioned leg. It will be seen that when the actuatorcollars 25 are retracted to retract the locking bolts 21 to theretracted release condition, the U-shaped frame sections may then befolded. When this folding occurs, the arcuate camming surface 29 of eachcam element immediately engages the arcuate camming surface 21a of theassociated locking bolt to continuously engage the locking bolt as theframe sections are shifted to the complete folded condition. Conversely,when the frame sections are unfolded to the extended position, the camretaining elements 28 will retain the locking bolts in the retractedcondition until the sections are fully extended, at which time thelocking bolts are urged forwardly into the locked condition by thehelical springs 22.

The foldable stretcher also includes a generally rectangular shapedflexible support 32 which may be formed of a suitable strong fabricmaterial. The flexible support panel 32 is provided with peripheralsleeves 33 which are formed by folding the marginal portions of theflexible support over the U-shaped frame sections, the folds beingstitched in a well-known manner to form the sleeves 33. lt will be seenthat the flexible support panel 32 is recessed at the respective corners34 and is also recessed, as at 35, adjacent the hinge connect'ions 15.These recesses permit ready and easy gripping of the frame of thefoldable stretcher to facilitate carrying the stretcher when supportinga person thereon. I

The stretcher is also provided with suitable elongate retaining straps36 which are stitched to the support panel 32 and which have oppositeends thereof extending therefrom. The straps 36 are each provided with aself locking buckle 37 at one end thereof to permit the straps to beused to retain the patient in supported relation on the stretcher.Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that one of the-straps may beused to releasably secure the stretcher in a folded condition.

In use, the foldable cot may be stored in a folded condition as shown inFIG. 2'. When in the folded condition, the retaining cam elements 28very effectively retain the locking bolts in the retracted releasecondition. When it is desirable to use the stretcher, it is merelynecessary to release the retaining strap 36, which is used to retain thestretcher in the folded condition, and thereafter unfold the stretcherto the extended position.

When this occurs, the retaining cam elements retain the locking belts inthe retracted condition and are cammed out of obstructing relation withrespect to the locking bolts to permit the latter to be urged quicklyinto the legs of the other U-shaped frame section. This locking actionis automatic and highly efiicient. Thus it will be seen that theU-shaped frame sections of the foldable stretcher may be folded throughan arc of approximately between extended and folded positions.

This folding and unfolding operation requires a minimum of manipulationsince the user is required only to retract the locking bolts byretracting the associated actuator collars 25 at the initial stage ofthe folding operation. No manipulation is required with respect to thelock mechanism when the device is unfolded to the extended position. Ithas been found that a single user may effectively and easily fold thestretcher to the folded condntion by standing the stretcher on one endadjacent a wall support or the like and retracting the actuator collarsto permit the initial folding of the frame sections. In this regard, thesection being folded may be supported by a wall during the initialfolding stages, and the user may thereafter complete the foldingoperation by merely swinging the frame sections together. The uniqueconstruction of the hinge and lock means permits this folding andunfolding operation to be accomplished with a minimum of effort by asingle user.

The stretcher 10 is of lightweight constraction and may be easilyhandled when storing and also when the stretcher is being folded orunfolded. It will therefore be seen that I have provided a novelfoldable stretcher, which is not only of simple and inexpensiveconstruction, but one which functions in a more efficient manner thanany heretofore known comparable device.

What is claimed is:

1. A foldable stretcher comprising,

a pair of U-shaped rigid frame sections each including a pair ofelongate substantially parallel hollow legs, and a transverse portionrigidly interconnecting said legs;

a pair of hinges each hingedly connecting the end of a leg of one framesection with the adjacent end of a leg of the other frame section topermit relative pivoting of the frame sections between extended andfolded positions about an axis extending substantially through thetransverse center line of the stretcher when the latter is in theextended position; 7

each leg of one frame section being disposed in longitudinal alignmentwith a leg of the other frame section when said sections are in theextended position, said frame sections when in thefolded position beingdisposed in side by side substantially parallel relation;

a generally rectangular shaped flexible support panel having peripheralportions thereof secured to the legs and transverse portions of eachframe section;

a pair of elongate locking bolts each being positioned in a leg of oneframe section, andbeing longitudinally shiftable relative theretobetween retracted release and extended locking positions, said boltswhen in the retracted position, each being disposed in one leg of aframe section, and when in the extended locked position, each boltprojecting beyond the associated one leg to the adjacent leg of theother section to releasably lock the sections in the extended position;

resilient means urging locking bolts to the extended locking position,

and retaining means on the legs of one frame section engaging thelocking bolts when the latter are retracted and the frame sections arein the folded position to retain the bolt against extension, and duringunfolding of the sections to the extended position, said retaining meansbeing progressively shifted by the legs on said one frame section out ofengagement with said locking bolts whereby the locking bolts will beautomatically urged to the extended locking position by said resilientmeans when the frame sections are in the extended position.

2. The foldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 wherein said retainingmeans comprises a pair of retaining elements each being mounted on theleg of one frame section and each having an arcuate cam surfaceengagable with the associated locking bolt to urge the same into the legof the other frame section when said sections are in the foldedposition.

3. The foldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 wherein each of saidhinges comprises a plurality of hinge elements positioned exteriorly ofsaid legs.

4. The foldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 and a pair of actuatorelements each being shiftably mounted on a leg of one of said framesections for longitudinal shifting movement relative thereof, eachactuator element being connected with one of said locking bolts wherebyupon longitudinal shifting movement of an actuator element in onedirection, the associated locking bolt will be shifted in a retracteddirection to permit folding of said sections from an extended position.

5. The foldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 and stop means in thelegs of the other frame section to limit longitudinal movement of lockbolts in a locking direction.

1. A foldable stretcher comprising, a pair of U-shaped rigid framesections each including a pair of elongate substantially parallel hollowlegs, and a transverse portion rigidly interconnecting said legs; a pairof hinges each hingedly connecting the end of a leg of one frame sectionwith the adjacent end of a leg of the other frame section to permitrelative pivoting of the frame sections between extended and foldedpositions about an axis extending substantially through the transversecenter line of the stretcher when the latter is in the extendedposition; each leg of one frame section being disposed in longitudinalalignment with a leg of the other frame section when said sections arein the extended position, said frame sections when in the foldedposition being disposed in side by side substantially parallel relation;a generally rectangular shaped flexible support panel having peripheralportions thereof secured to the legs and transverse portions of eachframe section; a pair of elongate locking bolts each being positioned ina leg of one frame section, and being longitudinally shiftable relativethereto between retracted release and extended locking positions, saidbolts when in the retracted position, each being disposed in one leg ofa frame section, and when in the extended locked position, each boltprojecting beyond the associated one leg to the adjacent leg of theother section to releasably lock the sections in the extended position;resilient means urging locking bolts to the extended locking position,and retaining means on the legs of one frame section engaging thelocking bolts when the latter are retracted and the frame sections arein the folded position to retain the bolt against extension, and duringunfolding of the sections to the extended position, said retaining meansbeing progressively shifted by the legs on said one frame section out ofengagement with said locking bolts whereby the locking bolts will beautomatically urged to the extended locking position by said resilientmeans when the frame sections are in the extended position.
 2. Thefoldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 wherein said retaining meanscomprises a pair of retaining elements each being mounted on the leg ofone frame section and each having an arcuate cam surface engagable withthe associated locking bolt to urge the same into the leg of the otherframe section when said sections are in the folded position.
 3. Thefoldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said hingescomprises a plurality of hinge elements positioned exteriorly of saidlegs.
 4. The foldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 and a pair ofactuator elements each being shiftably mounted on a leg of one of saidframe sections for longitudinal shifting movement relative thereof, eachactuator element being connected with one of said locking bolts wherebyupon longitudinal shifting movement of an actuator element in onedirection, the associated locking bolt will be shifted in a retracteddirection to permit folding of said sections from an extended position.5. The foldable stretcher as defined in claim 1 and stop means in thelegs of the other frame section to limit longitudinal Movement of lockbolts in a locking direction.